Shaft-coupling.



T. J. HUDSGN.

' SHAFT coUPLING.

y APPLIGATION FILED MAILSO, 1912.

f Patented m0111912,

45. )1 @E mi;

3mi-vanter,

TUBLE J. HUDSON, or WYATT, LOUISIANA.

sHAF'r-ooUrLINe.

, 4 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1 7, 1912.

" Application med March ao, 1912. serial 110.687,410.

To allwhom it may concern Be it known that I, TuBLE J. HUDSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at VVyattin the parishof Jackson and State of Louisiana, have invented certain .new and useful Improvements in Shaft-Couplings, of

whichthe following is a specification, refer\ 'ence being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention-relates to new and useful improvements in shaft couplers and universal joints which are employed for-icon necting together two shafts or other rota-y table power transmitt-in members which are arranged either in a inement or at an angle to each other.y

The object of thepresent invention is to' simplify the construction'of shaft couplers of the characterindicated and to provide a coupling' wherein there is a continuous central working of the -various operating l parts.

Another object of theinvention is to provide a device of this character which will possess advantages in points of eliciency and durability, is inexpensive of manufacture and at the Sametime simple in construction and operation.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists Vin the novel features of construction and in the combination. and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, pointed out in the claim, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is aside elevation of my improved coupling;` Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view; Fig. 3 is a horizbntal sectional view; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional'view.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 and 2 represent respectively the adjacent ends of two shafts for power transmitting members designed to be coupled together by my improved coupling. The oupling comprises a casing 2 which is divided into two halves 4 and 5, each having a semispherical cavity 6 and 7 respectively formed therein, and arranged at diametrically opposite points and are divided by the divi! sion line between the halves of the casing, so that the parts of the coupling may be readily assembled or taken apart as will appear presently.- The halves of the casing are provided with an annular `flange 8 whereby the halves of the casing may be securely fastened together by means of the screw bolts 9, the washer 10 being arranged between the halves of the casing. Arranged onl the interior of the casing are the semi- --spherical bearing members 11 and 12 of a size that theytclosely within the casing and engage the inner spherical 'surface of the latter. The spherical surface of each ofv the bearing members is provided with a groove 13 adapted for the reception of the arc shaped-keys 1.5, the outer surfaces of rooves 14 which are arranged within the of thecasing. The -inner end o the shaft 2 is provided with an enlarged circular head 16 adapted to be disposed between the Hat surfaces of the bearing members' ll'and 12 and is pivotally secured therebetween by of the bearing'membersupon each side of the head 16 adapted for thereception of a lubricant. Antifrictional bearing plates 19 are arranged between the head 16 and the 'flat surfaces of the'bearing members 11 and 12, said plates being provided with a plu- -means' of the pin 17 passing through the i `bearmg members and through thehead 16.

Reeesses 18 areformed in the flat surfaces' rality of openings 19 adapted for the pas- 4sage of the lubricant so that the bearing surfaces of the members 11 and 12 and the head 16 will be thoroughly lubricated.

It is -to be understood that the grooves 13 and 14 are to be of sulicient length to allow the shaft 2 'to swing to an angle of about 45degrees, said shaft being adapted to swing in any desired direction, the enlarged opening 23 in the section 5 of the casing allowing the shaft to swing in any desired direction.l

While I have vshown and described the recesses 18 as the preferred form 'for applying lubricant to the coupling, it will be understood that the coupling may be lubricated in any suitable manner.

v From the above description taken in connection with the drawings it will be readily appa-rent that I have provided a simple and durable coupling whereby two shafts or other rotatable power transmitting members which may be arranged either in alinement or at an angle'to each other will be suitably connected together. A

While vI have lshown and described the preferred forms of my invention it will be obvious that various changesin the details of construction and in the proportions may be resorted to for successfully carrying my invention into practice without sacrificing any of the novel features or departing from v the scope thereof.

What I claim is:-

Ina universal joint, the combination of a sectional casing, having an interior spherical surface, the interior of said casing being provided with are shaped grooves arranged at diametrcally-opposite'points, a shaft secured to one end of the casing, semi-circular bearing members arranged within the casing having a groove formed in the outer surface of each lof said members, keys arranged within the grooves and having their outer surface disposed within the grooves of the casing, a second shaft having an enlarged circular end adapted to be movably secured between the/*inner surfaces of the bearing members, eachface of the enlarged end of the shaft and each of the inner faces of .the bearing members being provided with a recess adapted for the reception of a lubricant, and bearin plates arranged between the bearing mem ers and each face of the enlarged end of the shaft, having a lurality of openings formed therein to a low the circulation of the lubricant.

lIn testimony whereof I hereunto ax my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

TUBLE J. HUDSON. Witnesses:

W. J. WYA'rr, H. E. CONNOR. 

